Vehicle jack



M. A. 'ITIRABAS'SO 203L393 VEHICLE JACK 1 Filed June 12, 1933 8 Sheets-Sheet .1

I I I I INVENTOR ATT NEYS Feb. 18, 1936. M. A.' TIRABASSQ 2,031,393

VEHICLE JACK Filed Jun e 12, 1933 8 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR M/c/v/nz ,4, r/7ABAsso Feb. 18, 1936. A, TmABA o 2,031,393

VEHICLE J ACK INVENTOR V 8 06 //8 1 7 M/CH/Al A. 77764304550 Feb. 18, 1936. M. A. TIRABASSO ,03 93 VEHICLE AcK Filed June 12,, 1933 8 Sheets-Sheet 4 INVENTOR A R EY$ Feb. 18, 1936. M, A. TIIABASSO VEHICLE JACK Filed June 12, 1933 a Sheets-Sheet 5 INVENTOR MIC/ I141 A 7/7? AT RNEY Feb. 18, 1936; M. A. TIRABASSO 2,031,393

VEHICLE JACK I Filed June 12, 1933 v 8 Sheets-Sheet 6 INVENTOR M/cH/Az A- r/knans a ATT NEYS Feb. 18,1936. M. A. TIRABASSO' 2,031,393

' VEHICLE JACK Filed June 12, 1955 s Sheets-Sheet 'r 3r wentor lV/C/l/Al A- 772914314550 (Zttomeg s FeB. 18, 1936.

I 1 III! l'lll'm IIIIIIIII lllllllll Filed June 12, 1953 M. A. TlRABAs'so 12,031,393

VEHICLE JACK 8 Sheets-Sheet 8 INVENTOR N/CH/AZ ,4- TIP-4314550 ATT RNEIY'S v Patented Feb. 18, 1936 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE This invention relates broadly to lifting jacks for motor vehicles and more specifically to improvements therein including mechanism for operating a plurality of hydraulic jacks which are arranged upon the axles of an automobile adjacent each wheel thereof and organized for control either single or in multiple.

One of the objects of this invention is. to provide a jack which may be, mounted upon a vehicle axle in suitable spaced relation with the ground to afford adequate road clearance therewith and which is constructed with suflicient lifting stroke to elevate the vehicle wheel from the ground irrespective of the irregularities of the surface with which the jack may be engaged.

Another object of thisinvention is to construct a jack which is adapted to effectuate the automatic adjustment of the jack in a plane normal to the road surface where one wheel is elevated and the axle is fulcrumed about the opposite wheel.

A further object of this invention is to provide an organization of lifting elements for an automobile which is operable from a control. unit common to all the lifting elements to accommodate the actuation of any of the lifting members or the elevation of all the wheels simultaneously.

Another object of the invention is to provide mechanism for effecting the circulation of fluid under pressure to the several lifting units and a power transmission coupling therefore which is coordinated for operative control with the vehicle engine.

5 Another object of the invention is to construct a valve which is adapted to effect the expansive or retractive movement of the ram in the lifting jack independent of the directional drive of the fluid displacement motor.

0 A still further object is to provide an automobile running gear jack which is relatively light in weight, economic of manufacture and adaptable for use upon an automobile chassis without structural modification therein.

5 In the drawings .wherein there is illustrated the preferred embodiment of the present invention- Figure 1 is a diagrammatic plan view of-a-vehicle chassis illustrating the arrangement .of the vehicular jacks, the fluid circulatory conduits 50 and connections therefor and the fluid transmission mechanism and control units.

Figure 2 is an elevational view of the chassis shown in Figure 1 and including the lifting jacks as positioned in elevating. the vehicle wheels.

55 Figure 3 is a detail view, partially in section,

illustrating the supporting connections between the jack and one of the vehicle axles.

Figure 4'is a vertical section of the connections illustrated in Figure 3, the section being taken on a plane indicated by the line 44 in Figure 3. 5 Figure 5 is a front elevational view of one of the vehicle wheels, a fragmentary portion of the axle and the vehicular jack, including, in solid outline, the actuated position of the assembly after the wheel has been elevated from the 10 7 ground.

Figure 6 is a vertical sectional view through the body of the jack illustrating the structure of the ram.

Figure '7 is a vertical sectional view of the jack 15 illustrated in Figure 6, the ram being shown herein in its actuated position.

Figure 8 is a vertical sectional view through the fluid control valve.

Figure 9 isa plan view of the same. 20 Figures l0, ll, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16 and 17 are diagrammatic sectional views of the control valve illustrating the relation of the core member with the valve body during the various adjustments thereof.- 25

Figure 18 is a plan view of the reversing valve which is coordinated with the fluid displacement motor. g Figure 19 is a transverse sectional view on line iii-l9 in Fig. 20 of the valve shown in Figure 18, so the core of said valve being shown in its actuated position.

' Figure 20 is a vertical sectional view of the reversing valve shown in Figure 18.

Figure 21 is a similar view on line.2l2l in Fig. 18 of the valve shown in Figure 20, the core member thereof being shown in itsactuated position. 4

Figure 22 is a sectional view through the forward portion of the vehiclechassis illustrating the connection between the automobile engine and the fluid displacement motor.

Referring to Figures 1 and 2 the vehicle lifting Jacks ID are mounted upon the front and rear axles A and B, respectively, of an automobile chassis of conventional form. In the instant case the jacks are disposed adjacent the inner faces of each of the vehicle wheels and relatively close thereto. The jacks are ,of the fluid operated type having flexible connections ll associated therewith which communicate with conduits l2 and I3 leading to a control-valve H, a displacement motor l5 and a reservoir It. The pump lli may be driven by any suitable transmission gearing, such for instance as the chain l'l, sprockets 8 and I9 and coupling member 28 which is operatively coordinated with the crank shaft of the vehicle engine 2|.

In the preferred embodiment the vehicular jack is constructed to accommodate its support upon a mounting plate which is adapted for application upon various types or models of automobile axles. In Figure 3, wherein there is illustrated one of the front axle. mounting devices, which may be taken as typical of any of the supporting units, the support comprises a platev 22 having a pillow block 23 pivotaliy mounted thereon. The face of the block 23 is recessed to reoeive the casing of the jack In which is clamped thereon by U-bolts 24 and 25 anchored upon the block 23 through nuts in threaded engagement upon the ends thereof and embedded in countersunk recesses in the block 23. AdJacent the upper end of the'jack casing or cylinder Hi there is an annular bead 26 which is provided for engagement with one of a series of grooves 21 formed in the inner face of the pillow block 23. When making an installation of one of the vehicular jacks upon a vehicle chassis the flange 28 is mounted within the groove 21 best suited to facilitate sufficient axle clearance relative to the road and elevation with respect to the tire size. The plate 22 is anchored upon the vehicle axle 28 by a clamping plate 29 which, as shown,

is provided with a boss 3|! on the inner face thereof for engagement with the contour of the face of the axle. The plate 22 is likewise formed with a boss or rib 3| which is formed for intimate engagement with the opposedface of the axle. The central borhr portion of the clamping plate 29 is drilled and tapped to receive a set screw 32 which engages a depression 33 spot drilled in the forward face of the web of the axle 28. The plate 22 is secured upon the clamping plate 29 by cap screws 34 and further by a trunnion bolt 35 having a nut 38 thereon positioned against the outer face of the clamping plate. The inner end of the trurmion bolt 35 is formed with an en 7, larged head 31 which is seated within a counter bore 38 in the pillow block 23. Within the body of the plate 22 there is a recess 39 which receives a coiled compression spring 40, the free end whereof engages a stud 4| mounted in the pillow block 23. The recess 39 is arcuatedso that the pin or stud 4| may travel freely therein when the plate 22 is oscillating about the center of the trunnion bolt 35. As shown in Figure 5, when one of the vehicle wheels falls into a rut or similar depression in the road surface or when the tire is deflated the axle will be lowered upon one side of the vehicle and the axes of the jack will be disposed at an angle divergent to a perpendicular from the road surface. When the wheel is elevated the axle is fulcrumed upon the opposite wheel and the jack, as herein constructed, is oscillated about the trunnion 35 thus shifting the axis of the jack to a position normal to the plane of the road. When the ram is retracted the spring 40 effects the return of the 'jack body to its normal position upon the axle.

The structure of each of the jack units comprises an outer casing orcylinder |l|,having a cap 42 screw threaded upon the upper end thereof. The cap is provided with a head 43 riveted or otherwise secured upon the inner face of the cap and is formed with a recess 44' which receives a shouldered extension of the head 43 and thus centralizes the cap 42 with the bore of the cylinder. Intermediate the end wall of the cyl-t to seal the interior of the cylinder against fluid escapement. The central portion of the cap and head 43 are provided with a threaded opening to receive a pipe coupling 48 which is connected with the conduit communicating with the source of transmission fluid. Within the cylinder ||I there is a plunger or ram 41 having an internally threaded recess 48 in the upper end thereof which receives a. flanged sleeve 49 formed at its lower end with a screw thread adapted for retention within the recess 48. The upper end of the ram 41 is shouldered to receive a cup leather 58 above which there is disposed a spacing washer and a second cup leather 52. The flanged portion of the sleeve 49 is disposed for abutting engagement with the lower wall of the cup washer 52 .and retains the cup washer 58, and the spacing washer 5| against vertical movement. Within the sleeve 49 there is a tube 53 having an annular groove 54 adjacent the upper end thereof which is engageable by a resilient spring ring 55 embedded in a groove 55 formed in the head 43. The groove 54 is slightly less in depth than the diameter of the wire forming the ring. The groove 56, however, is of suitable depth to permit the ready expansion of the ring 55. Thus, upon the application of adequate pressure the resilient ring will be expanded within the groove 56 and the locking engagement of the ring 55 will be broken and will permit the vertical movement of the tube within the sleeve 49. The body of the ram is bored throughout its length to receive a second plunger or ram 51, the upper portion whereof is shouldered to accommodate the assembly of a pair of cup washers 58 and 59 and a spacing washer 80 similar in structure tothe sealing elements 50, 5| and 52 provided in the outer cylinder 41. The cup leathers 58 and 59 are retained in their assembled position by a sleeve 8| having an intumed flange 52 which is retained by a stud 63 supported in threaded engagement within the upper end of the ram 51. The upper portion of the stud 83 is slotted and cross-bored to receive a pair of arms 84 pivoted upon a pin 65 within the yoke portion of the stud 63. The free ends of the arms 64 are formed with spherical faces 55 which are seated within a groove 51 when the ram 51 is disposed in its retracted position. The inner faces of thearms 64 are recessed to accommodate the support of an expansible coil spring 68 which yieldlngly retains the spherical faces 66 of the arms within the groove 51.

Adjacent the upper edge of the tube 53 there is a relatively shallow groove formed to frictionally retain the spherical faces of the arms 58 and provided to cause the tube to be pulled downwardly with the arms when the ram 51 is actuated in its extended position. The tube 53 is formed with aperture I35 adjacent the lower end thereof to facilitate fluid communication between the upper end of the cylinder l8 and the cylinder within which the ram 51 is mounted.

Within the lower end of the cylinder l8 there is a groove 89 having a split ring therein which is engageable with a relatively shallow groove 1| formed in the ram 41. The ram 51 is likewise constructed with a shallow groove 12 engageable with a split ring 13 seated in an annular recess 14 in a bearing collar threaded in the lower end of the cylinder 41. The lower free end of the ram 51 is provided with a shoe 18 of suitable proportions to provide a substantial footing for the lifting Jack.

Referring now to Figures 1 and 2, it will be u connected toa distribution valve BI and a secconduit couplings 83 and 84 which lead respectively to the control valve I4 and the reservoir l6. The distribution valve 8| isconstructed with an actuating lever 85 having suitable linkage, such as a pull rod 86 arranged for operative control by a handle 81 mounted upon the dash of the vehicle or in some equally accessible position for the driver. The conduit 83 which leads to the control valve is arranged for fluid communication with the chamber 88 in the central body of the valve core 89 which is constructed for oscfllatory adjustment within the body of the control valve I4. The valve core 89 is formed with a recess 98 in the upper portion'thereof which is ported for fluid communication with the conduit couplings 9I and 92 communicating respectively with the conduits I2 and I3. The lower chamber 88 is likewise ported for fluid communication with the conduit couplings 93 and 94, being arranged for-fluid communication with the respective couplings 46 mounted upon the upper ends of each of the cylinders I8 of the jacks. The wall 95 in the valve core 89, which separates the chambers 88 and 98, is apertured to facilitate the admission of fluid from the conduit 83 to the upper chamber 88.

The valve core is formed with a stem 98 having a control arm 9'! ereon and an indicator finger 98 which is pr vided to witness the .ad-'

justed position of th valve.

As indicated in Figures 8 and 9 the valve core is adjusted in position 'to permit the passage of fluid through each of the ports communicating with the conduits III, 92, 93 and 94 which facilitates the simultaneous extension of the rams within'all of the jacks or the retraction thereof depending upon the position of the distribution valve 8i More specifically when the distribution valve 8| ispositioned to permit the passage of fluid from the reservoir to the jacks, all of the rams will be extended and upon the reversal of the valve 8| and while the fluid is being withdrawn from the jack cylinders by the operation of the fluid displacement motor I5 the rams in each of the jacks will be retracted, thus lowering the vehicle. 7

As illustrated in Figures 10 to 17 the porting of the valve core 89 is arranged to accommodate the passage of fluid'through the ports in the .control valve body aspro-selected through the movement of the arm 91. In Figure 18 the fluid entering the port 88 passes through the ports I88, IIII, I92 and I83 which register with the passages in fluid communication with each of the cylinders of .the Jack units. Thus. the valve.

I as positioned herein. will effectuate the delivery fluid passage from the port I85 to the conduit.

/ the operation, will cause the fluid to be withwhich leads to the jack disposed'adjacent the front left wheel of the vehicle;

In Figure 13.the valve is disposed to permit fluid communication between-ports, I85 and I86 which communicate with the conduits leading to both of the jacks disposed upon the front axle.

Figure 14 illustrates the valve setting for operation of the right rear jack, the adjustment herein positioning the port I81 in registration with the conduit leading to the right rear jack.

The valve, as positioned in Figure 15, is adjusted to admit the fluid through the port I88 to the left rear jack.

As illustrated'in Figure 16 the ports I88 and I89 register with the conduits communicating with the jacks disposed upon the rear axle.

The closed position of the valve is illustrated .in Figure 17 wherein it will be seen that all of the outlet passages from the valve housing are closed by the valve core 89.

It will be understood that the illustrations in Figures 10 to' 17, both inclusive, are merely diagrammatic, since, as it will be seen in Figure 8,v the ports in the valve core are disposed in two parallel planes, one above the other and that the outlets in the valve housing are likewise vertically spaced. The reversing or distribution valve comprises a housing 8I having a rotatively adjustable core I I5 therein which is formed withcanals II8, I II, II8 and H9. The canals H6 and 1am disposed in substantially parallel relation, the passage I I6 affording a by-pass between the conduit passage II 8 provides a connection between the couplings 82 and 84. When the valve is positioned, as illustrated in Figure 18, the fluid will be circulated under pressure from the reservoir I 8 to'the jack or jacks opened to fluid circulation as controlled by the valve I4. When the valve is adjusted in the position illustrated in Figurel9 the canals therein establish fluid'communication. betweenthe cylinders of the jack or the jacks as pre-selected through the control valve I4 to the displacement motor, which,- during this cycle of drawn therefrom and pumped into the reservoir.

It will be seen that thefluid displacement .motor while in operation constantly creates a partial vacuum and that fluid is withdrawn either. from the reservoir or the jack cylinders with which fluid circulation is established. When the vehicle is being lowered during the early stage of the plunger retraction, the fluid in the Jacks is withdrawn from the cylinders and thereafter a partial vacuum is created in' the circulatory system which effects the return of the rams to their retracted position within the jack cylinders. When the vehicle wheels are elevated the fluid will be withdrawn from the tank I 6 and will be forced into whatsoever jack cylinder is open in the circulatory system.

The fluid displacement motor is rotatively driven through the clutch 28 which may be connected with the vehicle fan pulley or any other accessible driving mniber propelled by the engine crank shaft. In the instant case the clutch comprises a sliding sleeve I28 having ratchet teeth I 2| on the outer face thereof engageable with a toothed plate I22 mounted upon the fan pulley yoked arm I25 which is pivotally mounted upon a bracket I26 secured to the vehicle chassis frame.

The yoke I25 is formed with a bell crank extendesired to engage the motor driving clutch. As

illustrated, the yoke arm I25 is keyed upon a shaft I29 having alever I30 on the free end thereof. The lever I30 is connected with a rod I3I upon the end of which there is a control knob 81 preferably mounted upon the vehicle dash at some position accessible to the vehicle operator. The control knob 81 may be provided with a detent or plunger or a similar locking device which will overcome the spring I28 and retain the clutch in its disengaged position. The reversing valve linkage may be likewise provided with acontrol knob if desired, which may be arranged upon the dash adjacent the control knob 81.

Although the foregoing description is necessarily of a detailed character, in order that the invention may be completely set forth, it is to be understood that the specific terminology is not intended to be restrictive or confining, and that various rearrangements of parts and modifications of structural detail may be resorted to without departing from the scope or spirit of the invention as herein claimed.

I claim:

1. A fluid operated jack, comprising a cylinder, a plunger therein, a transversely disposed rib on the periphery of said cylinder,- a plate adapted to support said cylinder, said plate having a plurality of spaced grooves in the face thereof for receiving the rib in said cylinder, a second plate adapted for support upon a vehicular axle, and a pivoted connection between the said first and second named plate. r

2. A fluid operated jack, comprising a cylinder, a plunger therein, a transversely disposed rib on the periphery of said cylinder, a plate adapted to support said cylinder, said plate having a plurality of spaced grooves in the face thereof for receiving the rib in said cylinder, a second plate adapted for support upon a vehicular axle, a' pivoted connection between the first named plate and the second plate, and a compression spring mounted in one of said plates arranged to position the jack cylinder normal to the axle when the jack is adjusted in its inoperative position'.

3. In combination with a vehicle chassis, fluid operated jacks mounted upon the vehicle axles adjacent each wheel, said jacks comprising a cylinder having a ram reciprocatively mounted therein, a pivoted connection between the jack and said axle arranged for limited oscillatory movement parallel the vehicle axle, said connections embodying a plate adapted for aflixation upon said axle and having an arcuate slot therein, a pin mounted in said plate, a block adapted to support said cylinder and pivotally mounted upon said plate by said pin, said pin being disposed within the medial axis of said cylinder, a stud mounted in said block and extended within said slot, a spring within said slot and engaging said stud, said pin being eccentrically disposed in relation to the medial axis of said cylinder in order to accommodate the use ,of a spring to facilitate the oscillatory movement of the jack and to maintain the jack normal to the axle when the jack is in its inoperative position.

4. A fluid operated jack comprising a cylinder, a plunger therein, a second plunger within the first named plunger, means for circulating fluid .under pressure to said cylinder to extend said plungers and withdrawing said fluid and retracting said plungers, a tube disposed between said first named plunger and said second named plunger and having apertures thereby effecting a fluid communication between the first named plunger and the second named plunger, a pair of spring pressed pivotally mounted arms engageable within a groove in the first named plunger and connected with the second named plunger for yieldingly retaining said plunger in its elevated position, and a groove adjacent the end of said tube adapted for engagement with said arms so that said tube will be drawn downwardly with the inner plunger upon the extended movement thereof and fluid communication between the first and second named cylinder effected through said apertures.

5. In combination with a vehicle chassis, fluid,

operated jacks comprising a cylinder, a ram reciprocatively mounted therein, a pivotal connection between said cylinder and one of the axles of said vehicle chassis, said pivotal connection comprising a block formed to retain said cylinder, a stud extended from said block, a plate affixed to said axle and having an arcuate slot therein,

a pin coordinated with said block and said plate to facilitate the oscillatory movement of said cylinder in a plane parallel the axis of said axle and a spring within said slot in said block engaging the stud to maintain the cylinder in a vertical position.

MCI-HAL A. TIRABASSO. 

